Terrible, with a few highlights. I'm a big fan of the sport and a big fan of documentary. This does no justice to either.
The direction is awful and meanders somewhat aimlessly, like the product of a first year film student. One can generally tell the quality of a film from the first few minutes. In Faster, from the opening narration - done by big name Ewan McGregor - you get that sinking feeling 'oh no this isn't going to be any good is it?'. Clichés harass your ears from the opening line and they don't really go away. If I was Ewan I would have refused to read that embarrassing script.
I would think the point of such a film would be a chance to offer insight into a world that most don't understand and for fans who would love to know more about the backstage. But the chance is totally missed. Even the obvious possibility for some extended on bike camera work of some gripping racing scenes - something everybody loves - is totally overlooked and you'll find more exciting footage on YouTube. Most shots are taken from TV coverage of races and offers nothing more than that. Its more like a review of the 2001/02 seasons suitable for a lame magazine sports show than a quality documentary. There's a few interesting moments via interviews, and worth a look if your a bike fan, even for just a trip down memory lane, but thats all. The biggest impact the movie has is in the post scripts, where some highly respected racing stars advise, 'don't ride fast on the road because riding is so dangerous, go to a racetrack its much safer and better fun'. That I did appreciate for I often forget that.
I could make a better documentary than this in my sleep. Forget all the reviews that say 'great stuff', they're just wrong and would watch anything with a motorbike in it and be pleased.
The direction is awful and meanders somewhat aimlessly, like the product of a first year film student. One can generally tell the quality of a film from the first few minutes. In Faster, from the opening narration - done by big name Ewan McGregor - you get that sinking feeling 'oh no this isn't going to be any good is it?'. Clichés harass your ears from the opening line and they don't really go away. If I was Ewan I would have refused to read that embarrassing script.
I would think the point of such a film would be a chance to offer insight into a world that most don't understand and for fans who would love to know more about the backstage. But the chance is totally missed. Even the obvious possibility for some extended on bike camera work of some gripping racing scenes - something everybody loves - is totally overlooked and you'll find more exciting footage on YouTube. Most shots are taken from TV coverage of races and offers nothing more than that. Its more like a review of the 2001/02 seasons suitable for a lame magazine sports show than a quality documentary. There's a few interesting moments via interviews, and worth a look if your a bike fan, even for just a trip down memory lane, but thats all. The biggest impact the movie has is in the post scripts, where some highly respected racing stars advise, 'don't ride fast on the road because riding is so dangerous, go to a racetrack its much safer and better fun'. That I did appreciate for I often forget that.
I could make a better documentary than this in my sleep. Forget all the reviews that say 'great stuff', they're just wrong and would watch anything with a motorbike in it and be pleased.